1. Assess the surface and atmospheric environments of Venus with respect to their ability to support Earth-origin microbial contamination, and recommend measures, if any, that should be taken to prevent the forward contamination of Venus by future spacecraft missions;2. Provide recommendations related to planetary-protection issues associated with the return to Earth of samples from Venus; and3. Identify scientific investigations that may be required to reduce uncertainty in the above assessments.

The study was sponsored by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.